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Civilian Educational Assistance Programs Are Prevalent and a Large Investment in the United States

• Few companies, however, investigate the impacts of such programs.

Limited Evidence Exists on the Impact of Military Educational Assistance Programs

• The desired impacts of Department of Defense (DoD) educational assistance programs include improved recruitment, readiness, and retention and successful transition to civilian life.
• Some research suggests that the availability of military educational assistance attracts higher-quality recruits.
• Other research suggests that, while this is so, assistance recipients may leave service earlier than others.
• It is unclear whether the net result is positive or negative.

Federal Educational Assistance Programs Offer Service Members Multiple Pathways to Obtaining College Degrees

• Other potential outcomes include additional military training and occupational licenses and certificates.
• College credit can be obtained by taking standardized tests, utilizing programs that recommend college credit for military experience, and completing college courses.
• Ideally, educational assistance enhances the professional advancement of program participants.

Many of the Programs Overlap, Especially for Active-Duty Personnel

• Eligibility for DoD and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits is frequently linked to active duty status, resulting in fluctuating options for reserve component members.
• Not all combinations of assistance are helpful in the long run; for instance, some might tap into GI Bill benefits at a time when other funding sources are available, reducing the only funding that will still be available postservice.
• Service members must navigate disparate sources to gather information on the education benefits available to them at various times during their military careers.